In a game where the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles each have two losses in four games and need a win to keep pace in a strong NFC, the Vikings may need a “get well” victory a bit more. Here’s how they grab a road upset and turn the corner on their 2018 season.
In reviewing the last two games of the Philadelphia Eagles, it was quite easy to see that they are a different team than the 2017 version. Both games featured the return of Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who, still recovering from his late-season ACL tear from last year, played well, if not with a touch of rust.
In Week 3, the Eagles escaped a loss to the Indianapolis Colts Philadelphia in the final seconds. Leading in a game in which they dominated the time of possession (holding the ball for over 40 minutes) the Eagles played the game’s last minutes on their heels as Colts quarterback Andrew Luck ran two plays from the Philadelphia three-yard line with a chance to win.
Luck’s overthrown ball to an open Colts receiver in the end zone, followed by a stumbling trip-sack on fourth down, clinched the game for Philly.
In Week 4, in Tennessee against the Titans, the Eagles ran out to a 17-3 lead in the middle of the game’s third quarter, only to watch the Titans score 17 unanswered points and take the lead. With 16 seconds left in regulation, Philadelphia sent it to overtime with a 30-yard field goal of the foot of Eagles kicker Jake Elliott.
In overtime, Philly won the coin toss, took the ball down the field quickly and then bumbled a potentially quick OT win with several offensive miscues.
The Titans then responded with a 16-play, 75-yard drive to win the game with a touchdown that included three fourth-down conversions along the way.
Why are we reviewing all this? To demonstrate that the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are very beatable. In fact, after four games of 2018, Philly could easily be 0-4, and are certainly not yet the team they were at the end of last season.
Philadelphia may now have Wentz, wide-receiver Alshon Jeffrey and running back Jay Ajayi back on the field, giving them the talent to win, but like Minnesota, the Eagles are still making mistakes that have resulted in losses.
So–how do the Vikings go to Philly and win this one?